Despite observing Fall Colors closely for the past 20 years as an avid amateur photobug, I have yet to fathom what makes for a good Fall color season and what does not. It is specially hard to forecast the appearance and duration of Fall Colors in in the Maple belt of Ontario. Rain in September, warm weather in October, one or two days of frost to trigger the change, ground water decline, 3 foggy days in a row … these are some of the theories I have seen proposed. But I must admit I have failed to find any consistent correlations let alone good predictors.
Down the Lane in Heavy Rain
However, this year the Fall Colors have lasted well past mid October – in fact they are just starting to peak right;this weekend almost a week after Thanksgiving. Fortunately the two things that I know will drop leaves faster than a<> “Superman moving like a speeding bullet “> – frost and high winds will certainly bring the leaves down in short order.
The Birches Hues
As you can see from the shot above the colors are pretty … well pretty spectacular this year. But some of that is due to the day I took the pictures. Today there is a light drizzle coating all the countryside in what I call rain slicker colors. Wetness brings out the saturation of all colors making the Ontario countryside just short of Moulin Rouge gaudiness. And to add to the effect a light t fog leaves layers of transparency effect, sort of like this …
Hillside in the Distance
Even when you see the leaves up close, they seem different this year, curious colors and markings
Maple Blush Hues
But then again, maybe I have seen these colors back in 2002 – and those striped red markings were on the maples when the snow hit two years ago(snow makes for great photos but then quickly strips the leaves from the trees- the snow’s weight literally plucks the colors down). Yes, I admit, I am starting to develop a new a better theory of Fall Colors – but Mum’s the word as I just enjoy Fall’s Dancing Colors.
Dancing Colors
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